“…sometimes an explosion is so singularly epic that is stays with you long after the movie is over, lingering in the back of your mind like a goldfish that refuses to flush. These movie explosions brought something more than a flaming fireball to our screens – they took that flaming fireball and dropkicked it right into our hearts.” w/ videos

“Our world is covered with plants, and we are surrounded. Previous lists have addressed some rather potent plant poisons, but this list looks at killer plants on an entirely new level of lethality. It’s not just picking petals or tasting berries that can kill. In some cases, just approaching the plant is enough to die. In this terrifying account, we will look at the sight-robbing potential of Giant Hogweed, the bizarre neurotoxic plant that can make you rob your own house, and the explanation behind Biblical legends of blood filled waters. This list is fully referenced to document the dangers that lurk among the leaves… and the beaches.” w/ photos

“Because so many of us live in cities, we think of the Earth as a crowded place. In a world where every nook and cranny has been squeezed for resources and every untamed jungle has been turned into an IKEA, what’s really left to discover? A whole lot, as it turns out. You actually don’t have to look terribly hard to stumble across.” w/ photos

“As hip-hop continues to evolve, and change the way we view urban life, there are a few things that will never change. Collaborations in hip-hop are still found around almost every corner, but very few influence a generation. The following collaborations did just that; they inspired people, both creators and listeners, and helped shape the genre of hip-hop for years after their release.” w/ photos + videos

“While ‘Hip-Hop’ has come to refer strictly to the music in the minds of most people today, rap is actually the music of the culture of Hip-hop, which has also given birth to new forms of dance (breakdancing) and art (graffiti). The culture has a fascinating history, and here are ten things you may not have known about it.” w/ photos

“In the quest to end a war or conflict as quickly as possible, ingenious battle plans are drawn up all the time. Sometimes, these plans fall by the wayside, for one reason or another. Whether the cancellation was good or bad for civilization, it makes one wonder what would have happened if it was seen through to the end. Here are ten such war plans that could have changed history completely, had they not been abandoned during the blueprint stages.” w/ photos

“You’ve heard it said age is just a number, and the people you’re about to read about are proof. With these 15 superhuman feats performed by senior citizens, you, too, may believe in superheroes. But don’t fall into the trap of thinking these individuals have done the impossible. Instead, let these provide a lesson for a healthier and more active lifestyle: no matter how late you start in life, you can STILL accomplish some pretty amazing things!” w/ photos

“If you’re anything like us, you absolutely adore the little oddities of language. The quirks, the eccentricities, the wordplay, the terms, the history, and the glorious esoteric nonsense of it all. If you’re not, then we either recommend finding another list, or better yet, give it a whirl — us language nerds are always looking for new recruits. For the intrepid, read on — you’ll discover what happens when you extend a metaphor a little too far; what pasketti (spaghetti spoken by a child) and ax (as opposed to ask) have in common; the claim to fame of a British village called Bricklehampton and what it has to do with the uncommon English word deeded — and more!” w/ photos

“Professional wrestlers are a strange breed. Technically you could consider them actors — they perform scripted material and try to sell their audiences on the version of reality they’ve designed to fit their storylines — but really, they’re more like soap opera stars, overselling each facial expression and slap to their opponent’s strong jawline… When their environments are cleansed of overzealous fans, pyrotechnics, and neon spandex onesies, they can often surprise us with their acting abilities. Such as…” w/ photos

“A fungus is a member of a large group of organisms that includes microorganisms such as yeasts and moulds, as well as the more familiar mushrooms. These organisms are classified as a kingdom, Fungi, which is separate from plants, animals, and bacteria… Little is known of the true biodiversity of Kingdom Fungi, which has been estimated at 1.5 million to 5 million species, with about 5% of these having been formally classified. [Here] you will find a collection of some of the most fascinating looking fungi I came across in my search.” w/ photos